SETTLEMENT SOLUTIONS :: Alternative Dispute Resolution Services Company

Contact Information

175 Toyota Plaza
Suite 810
Memphis, TN 38103

901-577-1175 (Voice)
877-577-1175 (Toll Free)
901-526-0213 (Fax)
info@settlementsol.com

News & Annoucements

Lawyers target rural counties for non-trial legal help

By Rob Robertson May 19, 2006

As the court system becomes more and more jammed with cases, finding alternative ways to resolve legal disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner has become more popular than ever.

However, choices for litigants looking for mediators or arbiters have been somewhat limited, especially outside major metropolitan areas in Tennessee.

Enter Memphis-based Settlement Solutions, recently formed by members of the Spicer, Flynn & Rudstrom law firm, which aims to provide lower-cost alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services throughout the state.

"ADR has become a permanent part of the litigation process," said Rick Rudstrom, founding principal. "We decided to create Settlement Solutions to meet the growing demand for qualified mediation services, not just in the cities but in the outlying areas as well."

Currently the only other company in the Memphis market offering turn-key ADR services is Resolute Systems Inc.

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, Memphis's largest law firm, also formed the Center for Dispute Resolution last year, which operates as a division of the firm rather than as a wholly independent company.

Settlement Solutions was formed as a separate company to compete head-on with Resolute.

"We think we are unique in that we are specifically targeting the rural counties in the state, which are somewhat under-served when it comes to access to a variety of mediators," said Betty Ann Milligan, also a founding principals in the company.

ADR covers a broad range of non-trial methods, including arbitration -- in which a third party makes the final decisions instead of a judge -- and mediation, which involves a mediator or panel with no controlling authority.

Typically both parties agree to the process voluntarily, but on occasion, a judge will order mediation.

In either case, the goal is to resolve disputes without going to trial.

Mediation is by far the most popular avenue, Rudstrom said.
"People can maintain control of their case through mediation," he said, "rather than leaving it in the hands of 12 people they don't know."

Settlement Solutions currently has a panel of seven neutrals across the state with plans to grow the panel to 10 to 15 neutrals over 12 months.

Key areas of expertise for the current panel include personal injury, premises liability, products liability, professional and medical malpractice, and workers' compensation.

In the coming year, the company will open ancillary offices to Spicer Flynn's operations in Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

"We have experience working in all 95 counties in Tennessee and believe there is a great opportunity to offer these services in rural areas of the state," Rudstrom said.

Without need for new brick and mortar offices, Settlement Solutions may offer more competitive pricing, but Milligan said better pricing alone won't be enough.

"Identifying and hiring good mediators as well as coordinating the actual proceeding can be a frustrating experience for attorneys," Milligan said. "We think what we're offering will have broad-based appeal to lawyers, corporations and individuals because we've got experience across the state."

-- Rob Robertson: 529-5888